Previously:

-Peter Quill, better known as the cosmic hero Starlord, swooped into save a young girl from the Kree enforcers hunting her down.

-The Starjammer, broken and wearied from battles and jobs gone sour, limped into the Hala spaceport with a bought Kree access code. Hepzibah, Ch’od, and Raza were tasked with finding supplies.

-Coming face to face with an old rival pirate Corsair tried to shake the man down for information only to end up with a blaster in the face. Once a pirate, always a pirate it seemed.

-Protecting his young charge, Quill ended up in the middle of a bar fight that brought him back to back with the pirate Captain. Making an offer in exchange for passage upon the ship Quill is shot down by Corsair who has no desire to play taxi.

-Before Corsair can slide away to live to fight another day the Kree Enforcers barge into the bar waving guns in both men’s faces demanding the young girl. The day couldn’t get any worse.

Marvel 2000 Proudly Presents...

# 2 - "The "Hala Run in Five Parsecs"
Written by Scott Redmond

Rocket’s
Hala Spaceport

There were times when safe and secure in his bunk, Hepzibah’s lithe body lying beside him, that Corsair wished he never had to get up. No more responsibilities as Captain. No more space battles over cargo that ended up being worthless. No more people waving blasters in his face. Just a simple life with his woman in his arms, maybe a few human and Mephitisoid hybrid babies running amok. The simple life.

Yet once again there he was a blaster in the face with men screaming angrily at him in Kree. Lowering his hands slightly he made motions to show the men he had no weapons upon his person. “I’m in no way shape or form associated with this man and whatever crimes he’s part of. I just came here for a good old-fashioned drink. Unless drinking is a crime here now, if so I really missed that memo.”

Grabbing him by the neck the enforcer shoved the human hard against the bar and waved the gun menacingly in his face. “What is your business here pink skin?”

“Like I said. Just here for a drink. Passing through looking for work. You know how it is for us pink skins.”

Sneering the blue skinned officer let go but kept the gun aimed on the man. “You pink skins are like vermin. Infesting our galaxy. Isn’t your backwater planet good enough for you?”

Leaning over the bar slowly a hand grabbed onto a bottle and slowly pulled it up. Carefully showing the man what he had, after a nod he began pouring a generous helping of the gold liquid. Slamming it back with a grimace Corsair held up a hand before continuing. “I ask myself the same thing my good man. I mean really Earth is not the greatest place around. Not hard to see why some of us want to get out of that dump.”

Glancing over his eyes settled on the guards slamming Peter’s head down as they slammed electro-cuffs upon the man’s wrists as the girl was grabbed roughly and held at gunpoint. A slight trembling of her lower lip that was barely noticeable was the only sign that she was afraid of them at all. Girl had guts, he’d give her that much.

Never once taking his eyes off his guard his hand settled on the edge of the bar fingering the blaster he had secured there upon arrival. A back-up plan was always good thing to have when it came to bars like Rockets. “You know what I mean?”

Grunting the guard’s eyes kept slowly darting towards his comrades. His body turned slightly leaving Corsair the only opening he needed. With a push of the finger the blaster fell from the bar right into his hands. Dropping to the floor with practiced ease and a roll he was came up aiming the blaster. The entire time the guard realized what was happening and turned back but all too late as a blast struck him in the chest and sent him flying into the furthest wall.

Whirling around with the smoking blaster a shot flew right into another enforcer’s chest as they realized what was happening. Two more fell to the ground smoking holes in their chest plates. The man cuffing Quill turned back to the battle making a fatal mistake. Quill’s foot snaked out catching the man’s leg and sending him right into the table. Blue chin met metal with a resounding crack. Picking up the keys the cuffs were off in moments.

Dashing across the room he tackled the ones holding his charge. A knee to the chest elicited a groan from his lips before his fist struck them taking them out of the race. Meanwhile Corsair found himself the recipient of a four-blaster salute as he ducked behind the bar. Bottles and glasses exploded sending raining glass his way. “A little help would be nice!”

Hearing the words Quill moved back into the open his weapon blazing. Moments later all that remained of their attackers were bodies with smoking chests and blasters. Holstering his blaster Corsair moved back towards the bar and leaned over. The cowering form of Rocket could still be seen there. “Sorry about the mess Rock, just don’t know what came over me here.”

Pushing back he strode forward and came up to Quill. “So you coming along or what? We’ve got a ship to catch.”

“I thought you didn’t ferry people.”

“Yeah well hold that against me why don’t you.” Leading the way out the doors he sighed as thoughts of his crews reactions flooded his head. “Hep is really not going to like this.”

Hala Bazaar

Merchants and peddlers of wares from hundreds and thousands of worlds and galaxies packed the grounds of the bazaar. Many pushed goods that no sane person had any use for, while others used the public atmosphere to hide their true wares and services. A dark tent in the corner was obviously a brothel of some kind as scantily clad women of all kinds were seen frequently escorting in men from every rung of life.

Quite a few eyes from numerous races, many of those eyes just belonging to one being, followed the Mephitisoid as she strolled through the stalls one thing on her mind. Weapons. Lots of them. The bigger and more powerful the better really. After that came supplies. Priorities first after all.

Trinkets from hundreds of races shined and pulsed trying to catch the eye of passersby. Hefting up a massive blaster a hiss of approval escaped as delicate and deadly fingers stroked the weapon almost lovingly.

“Ah that there is a real beauty ma’am. Modified from the Skrull army it is. Rapid-fire pulse blaster with modified scope. Take down Quinta beast miles away. Never know what hit it. I give it to you for low price three hundred credits.”

Whirling around the weapon hummed as the sight locked onto the only other target in the tent, as she hissed disapprovingly. A sizeable lump moved down his throat as the weapon charged and whirred. “Okay maybe I can part with it for a low price of two hundred…. one hundred and fifty.” With each lowering of price it seemed that none were low enough for her to move the weapon. “Come on lady I got a family to feed. One hundred credits, but that’s it.”

Hefting the weapon over her shoulder a grin split wide as the credits dropped upon the dirty table. “Doing business with you nice.”

A sound of frenzied shoppers could be heard in the distance. Turning she caught sight of her life mate dashing through the stalls, an unfamiliar man and young girl running behind him. A squad of Kree Enforcers was running after them, a Kree Sentry floating above them firing its weapons. Explosions rocked the ground near many of the stalls, sending the products and the sellers running. Pure pandemonium and chaos, and not surprisingly Corsair was in the middle of it.

Hissing angrily, she hefted the blaster onto her shoulder. It settled there nicely she thought as the Sentry came into sight. Glancing at the shopkeeper as he stared in fear she sighed. “Run. Now.” The weapon hummed before rapid blasts of energy shot out. Each one struck the Sentry in the chest, driving the machine back and giving Corsair space to get ahead.

Dashing behind a stall, his blaster rose and began firing over the counter. Corsair’s fire struck three of the guards, sending them to the ground where they tripped another two. Quill whirled around and crouched down, his weapon in hand. A blast struck one of the guards directly in the face, killing him instantly.

“Surround them quickly!” The commanding officer’s voice rose and he dived behind cover. The squad spread out moving through the marketplace to throw off any fire. “Surrender the girl now and you might live to see tomorrow. You won’t escape this planet alive, it is a futile effort.”

“Yeah well that about describes my life.” Corsair muttered as he checked the power gauge upon the held weapon. Almost half power, enough shots to take a few more down but if they brought reinforcements there would be a problem.

Three of the guards moved behind and aimed their weapons at the distracted Corsair. A flash of green filled their sight as a giant silver hammer with a glowing blue core slammed the ground before them. The guards were sent flying as Ch’od smiled grandly. “You really know how to interact well with the locals Captain.”

Grunting Corsair, glanced up as the last of the squad began to move right towards Quill and the girl. Cursing he jumped over the counter and opened fire. One man went down, as the others all turned and aimed at the pirate captain. “Ah shit.”

The last few men suddenly were blasted off their feet, as a thunderous clap of blaster fire entered their ears. Hepzibah stood with the mighty weapon in hand, unleashing her fury upon those that threatened her captain. A feral grin hit her face as she finally pulled a finger off the trigger. “Best money spent.”

The two lovers embraced, her teeth nipping his lip carefully in a deep kiss. Quill grabbed his charges hand and stood watching the two. Ch’od groaned as he approached. “Hrm. While I enjoy passionate thanks you’s and wouldn’t mind one, I suggest we get the da’st back to the ship.”

The Starjammer burst through the atmosphere into open space, not a single pursuing ship in sight. Raza stood before the navigation console as finally the bridge door opened to admit the rest of the crew. Dropping into his chair, Corsair sighed. “Raza, any pursuers?”

The cyborg shook his head, as he moved away from the console to allow Ch’od to take it over. “Nay captain, the space lanes are clear.”

As the Saurid settled in at navigation, Hepzibah stood by the door. Her gaze never left the two additions upon the ship. It was a mix between anger and distrust. A look Corsair had come to know well over the years. Until they knew the full story, the woman would never trust the two. The captain’s chair turned to face the man he had fought alongside in the bar. “So…funny thing back there. It really seems like the Kree want you and that girl. Normally I’d let people’s business be their own, but when it concerns me possibly getting killed I’d really like to know why.”

Hissing Hepzibah moved alongside her captain. The hiss seemed to add to what he was saying, and a reminder of what she would do if the request wasn’t answered. Holding a hand out that somewhat calmed her, Corsair waited.

“I understand your trepidation Captain. And you are right, if you are to ferry us around you deserve the full disclosure. I am Peter Quill, I was once known around these parts as Star-Lord.” Pausing, a hand moved out to lightly clasp the shoulder of the young girl at his side. “This is Leeyah. I rescued her from a Kree patrol trying to kill her yesterday. Her entire family was slaughtered in the process.”

Alarms blared all over the ship as it was jostled from its flight plan. “Captain, Kree ships on our tail.” Ch’od yelled out, as his giant but deft hands flew across the console.

Cursing, Hepzibah leapt over the railing and dashed towards the weapon station. Landing in the seat she began to fire up everything they had on board. The shields surrounding the sensitive hull fluctuated as they were peppered with weapons fire. “Five ships. Including battleship. Blast them from sky captain?”

Corsair’s ship whirled around as the screen was filled with the images of the approaching ships. “Fire weapons at the lead ship. Ch’od evasive maneuvers. Raza, get as much power to the shields as you can. Quill, you better strap you’re ass down now. We’re in for a very bumpy flight.”

Two of the Kree ships broke from the attack formation and zipped straight for the Starjammer. Their weapons blazed as the laser fire struck the ship all over. Their strafing run over, the two ships raced forward to turn around. Once they turned around, they would be in front of the pirate ship therefore boxing it in from front to back. It was a damn good thing that there were infinite directions to go in space.

A small screen popped up on the arm of the captain’s chair. Charts of the sector began to appear, the position of the ship clearly indicated. Corsair’s eyes slid across the charts till he found what he was looking for. “Ch’od, I’m sending you the charts of the sector. Plot a course for the Expanse nebula.”

The Saurid whirled around, as the rest of the crew showed their astonishment as well. “Captain, you can’t be serious. The Expanse is more dangerous than staying to fight the Kree. We have a better chance of surviving out here.”

“You heard my orders. We need to evade pursuit, and quickly. We’re just leaving the Kree home world. Within moments the few ships firing on us could become an entire fleet. If I figure this right, the Kree would have to be as stupid to follow us into the Expanse.”

“Hmph, we are not ones to talk.” The Mephitisoid hissed as her eyes regarded the captain. “Trust you with my life Corsair.”

The Starjammer shot forward and dived down under the ships before them, the shields of all three ships grazing together. Bucking the pirate ship began speeding up as the Kree fleet followed suit. As the Kree trailed behind, Corsair began to wonder if perhaps this one time they would be able to surpass their pursuers easily.

The ship shook as weapon fire struck them from ahead. The screen filled suddenly with images of Skrull warships. Coming to a full stop, the Starjammer hovered steadily as the Kree and Skrulls came face to face with them in the middle. Weapons on all ships were aimed at the tiny pirate ship as well as their opponents.

The screen crackled as the image of a massive Kree appeared. The face was easy to place and Corsair groaned in frustration. Of all the Kree to have chasing you, they had definitely won the jackpot of notoriety. Ronan the Accuser.

“Starjammers you stand accused of helping fugitives escape the Kree home planet. You will turn over the girl and her protector or face the justice of the Kree. What say you?” Ronan’s stern face stared through the Captain at the two supposed fugitives.

“Great Ronan, I am sure that there has just been a misunderstanding here. The two individuals in question requested transport upon my ship. I fail to see the danger that a young woman and a known hero of the universe could cause such a great Empire.” Standing, Corsair tried to bring the man’s focus back on him.

“That is not your observation to make Terran. If you do not comply we will destroy your ship and all aboard.”

The screen suddenly split as the green and scaly face of a Skrull appeared beside Ronan’s. It was definitely the Starjammers bad day, as the Skrull in question wasn’t just any Skrull. He was Kl’rt, the Super Skrull, endowed with the powers of the Fantastic Four.

“Skrull vermin, be gone from this sector before we make you regret ever crawling from the primordial ooze!” Ronan spit as the two members of long-standing rival Empires glared across the expanse of space.

“The girl is being claimed by the Skrulls, Kree. If we do not get her, we will fire upon your ships.”

The small pirate ship was now forgotten as the two races had their version of a pissing contest. If they tried to leave now, one of the races would open fire and destroy the ship. There was no way they could outrun or outgun the best ships either Empire had to offer. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The decision was taken out of the Captain’s hand as suddenly weapons fire ripped from the lead Skrull ship and struck the Kree warship across the bow. All hell broke loose as every Kree ship and Skrull ship opened fire upon one another. A small war had begun, and it all centered on the small girl standing behind his seat.

Next Issue: The Mystery of the Expanse! Starjammers vs. the Kree and the Skrulls! Just who is Leeyah?